The
kidneys are one of the most important organs in our bodies – they perform vital
functions which is why we must keep them healthy. The kidneys filter out
120-150 quarts of blood every day while producing 1-2 quarts of urine and
filtering toxins from the body. They are also important for the bones and blood
cell production, which is why we need to protect them.

Here
are 8 bad habits that are damaging our kidneys every day:

1. Not emptying your bladder

Not
peeing when nature calls is a bad habit that can increase the pressure in your
kidneys and lead to renal failure.

2. Not drinking enough water

Our
kidneys need to be hydrated to function properly. When we don’t drink enough
water, toxins start accumulating in the blood as there’s not enough fluid to
flush them out, resulting in further health problems. The recommended daily
amount of water is 12 glasses per day and you should stick to it.

3. High salt consumption

Salt
is important for proper body function, but you should limit the intake.
Consuming too much salt can increase your blood pressure and strain the kidneys
too much, so limit the intake of salt to 5.8 gr. per day.

4. Regular use of analgesics

Taking
too many medications can cause many problems – all pharmaceutical drugs have
side-effects and may damage your kidneys.

5. High protein diet

A
proper dose of protein is great for your health, but consuming too much red meat
as well as other proteins can increase the risk of kidney disease. According to
a recent study conducted at Harvard, too much protein can kill your kidneys.
The by-product of protein digestion is ammonia which can intoxicate your
kidneys and decrease their function.

6. Too much alcohol

High
amounts of alcohol are toxic to the kidneys, so make sure to enjoy it
moderately.

7.Too much caffeine

Sure,
everyone loves the occasional cup of coffee, but consuming carbonated drinks
and sodas beside it can raise the levels of caffeine in your blood and damage
your kidneys over time.

8.Ignoring common infections

Ignoring
colds, the flu, pharyngitis, tonsillitis and other infections can damage your
kidneys. The same applies to people who don’t rest when sick.